Defying Limits: Stephen’s Marathon Journey for Whizz Kidz

Some stories aren’t just about endurance; they’re about transformation, resilience, and an unshakable belief in a greater purpose. Stephen’s journey is one of those stories. A British Army veteran, his life took an unexpected turn when illness led to him becoming a wheelchair user. In the face of this life-altering change, Stephen could have stopped. Instead, he found a new mission—one that would push him beyond limits, inspire countless others, and champion a cause close to his heart: Whizz Kidz.

A Search for Purpose and a New Beginning

After leaving the military, Stephen struggled with his identity. A conversation with a blind veteran changed everything. They spoke about how difficult it was to reconcile their old selves with their new realities as disabled people and how they were going to move forward. “What do I know now?” Stephen asked himself. The answer: wheelchair life. A simple Google search led him to Whizz Kidz, a charity dedicated to empowering young wheelchair users. One email offering to volunteer was all it took. A spark had been lit.

That spark soon turned into a fire. Stephen didn’t just volunteer—he became a force for change, using his own experience to support, uplift, and inspire young wheelchair users to see themselves not as limited, but as limitless.

Breaking Records and Pushing Boundaries

For Stephen, every mile he pushes is more than just distance—it’s a statement. In 2020, he completed the Virtual ‘My Way’ London Marathon. In 2021, he set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in a non-racing wheelchair. In 2022, he broke that record again. Each marathon was another chapter in his story—proof that adversity does not define a person.

Now, in 2025, he is pushing himself even further – taking on two marathons in one day.

A Challenge Born from Defiance

Stephen didn’t plan to take on this marathon. But sometimes, the universe has a way of nudging us toward our next challenge. A timely text message, a LinkedIn post featuring his image, and a confirmation email later—he knew this was meant to be.

Yet, this time, the challenge is different. Health setbacks have made training tougher. His body has been tested. But rather than backing down, Stephen sees this marathon as an act of defiance. A refusal to let setbacks define him. A promise to himself that he will keep moving forward.

Stephen is doing a double marathon this year with the Flawed Hero Marathon before he sets off for the London Marathon. However, training for a double marathon is brutal. It demands not only physical endurance but an ironclad mindset. For Stephen, preparation means lonely night training sessions, exhausting gym workouts, and a relentless belief that he can push through.

And through it all, he carries his ‘why.’ He is running for young wheelchair users who need to see that nothing is out of reach. He is running to challenge outdated perceptions. He is running because the right wheelchair is more than mobility—it’s freedom, possibility, and a future filled with opportunities.

Raising Funds, awareness, and Hope

Stephen is on a mission to raise £5,000, with Whizz Kidz receiving half of all donations. But money isn’t the only goal. His journey is about impact. It’s about getting people to see the world differently—to recognise the barriers young wheelchair users face and to be part of breaking them down.

The support he has received from friends, family, and the community has been incredible. Some questioned his decision at first, wondering if it was wise. But once they understood his ‘why,’ they stood by him, cheering him on every step of the way.

Moments That Matter

Stephen has seen the power of Whizz Kidz firsthand. He remembers a young girl at the London Club who once shrank away from external facilitators. Over time, with support from Whizz Kidz, she grew in confidence. One day, she stood up and led a session herself, proudly sharing her dreams of the future.

It is moments like these that drive him forward. He knows that every pound raised, every conversation sparked, and every mile completed is paving the way for more young wheelchair users to realise their own potential.

This journey hasn’t been easy. Health struggles have tested his limits. But Stephen refuses to be defined by obstacles. His motivation is deeply personal—he wants to rebuild himself physically and mentally. He wants to set an example for his daughter, showing her that adversity is not the end of the story; it’s just the beginning of a new one.

A Legacy of Change

Stephen knows his past marathons have already made a difference. They’ve inspired other wheelchair users to take on their own challenges, encouraged members of his local community to run for Whizz Kidz, and brought more awareness to a cause that transforms lives.

Would he do it again? Without hesitation. “The difference you make isn’t just measured in pounds,” he says. “It’s about being the spark for a young person’s journey. A journey that could lead anywhere.”

Stephen’s story is one of grit, heart, and unwavering purpose. He is not just running a marathon; he is paving the way for young wheelchair users to have a future without limits. Because, as Stephen has proven time and time again, limits are meant to be broken.